(CNN) – The Pentagon will permit members of the military to travel to wed same-sex partners if the community or state where they are based does not permit it, a key element of a new benefits policy unveiled Wednesday.

The Defense Department announced its intention to extended health, housing and other benefits to same-sex spouses of uniformed military personnel and defense civilian employees.

(CNN) – A U.S. Representative from Texas known for his provocative statements wants the Missouri rodeo clown fired for mocking President Barack Obama to know he is welcome in the Lone Star state.

Rep. Steve Stockman, the Republican who invited conservative firebrand musician Ted Nugent to the 2013 State of the Union address, has put out a release inviting the rodeo clown to come and perform in his home district in Texas.FULL POST

MANNING APOLOGIZES IN COURT: “I want to start with an apology,” Pfc. Bradley Manning, who faces up to 90 years in prison if the judge imposes the maximum sentence, said. “I understood what I was doing was wrong but I didn’t appreciate the broader effects of my actions.” – From CNN’s Chris Lawrence in the courtroom

Gingrich, who was speaking at the opening session of the Republican National Committee's summer meeting, fielded a question about "Obamacare" and recalled that Republicans were able to block Bill Clinton's health care reform effort in 1994 because they had "a positive alternative approach" to health care.FULL POST

(CNN) - Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in prison for misuse of about $750,000 in campaign funds.

Jackson pleaded guilty in February to using campaign money for personal expenses that included buying Michael Jackson memorabilia, furs, and a Rolex watch. The judge said the sentence should be served at a facility in Alabama.

His wife Sandra Jackson was sentenced Wednesday to 12 months in prison for filing false tax returns. She pleaded guilty in February to failing to report nearly $570,000 in taxable income from 2006 through 2011.

(CNN) - Eliot Spitzer appears to be weathering a series of harsh attacks from his opponent and has expanded his lead in Democratic primary race for New York City Comptroller, according to a Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday.

Spitzer, the former New York attorney general and governor, leads his opponent, Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer, by a commanding 19 points – 56 to 37 – among Democratic primary voters.FULL POST